Davis could coach again

Davis could coach again

It took just one season away from coaching basketball for Ronnie Davis to realize he wasn't ready for retirement.

Davis began coaching girls' basketball at Copper Basin, then coached girls and sometimes boys at Polk County, his alma mater, for 34 years before retiring after the 2009-10 season.

"I've got four kids in college so I've got a lot of free time, and I just had to admit that I really miss it more than I thought I would," Davis said. "I went to a lot of Polk County's games and realized I just miss the competition and the relationship you have with kids.

"I don't care if it's middle school or as an assistant - I just want to get back into the game. It's hard to get your name back out there once you get out, but I'm trying to let folks know I'm interested in coaching again."

Davis won at least 20 games 22 times at Polk, including the 1981 Class AA state championship. That is still the Benton school's only state title in any sport. He retired with 935 career victories and led the Wildkittens to the state tournament in his final season.

Fingerle retires at CCS

Mike Fingerle has announced this will be his final season as track and cross country coach at Chattanooga Christian.

He coached cross country for 24 years at CCS and began the school's track program at the middle school. CCS has had varsity track for 10 years.

"Probably since my heart attack (in 2007), I haven't had near the energy needed to coach the way I want to," Fingerle said. "And psychologically it's hard to get back as involved as I was. I'm glad I was able to come back and work a few more years, but with all my other responsibilities at the school, it's time."

David Miller, who had been the cross country team's assistant, will take over as head coach of that sport. Ian Work, who had coached CCS middle school track, will be promoted to take over the high school varsity.

"It was obvious those were the guys that I trust to take over and feel good about giving it over to them," Fingerle said. "Those are two guys who are really passionate about it and ready to take the jobs."

Carter takes AD job

Former TSSAA executive director Ronnie Carter is the new athletic director at Davidson Academy in Nashville. The 65-year-old Carter worked for the TSSAA for 31 years, the last 23 as executive director, before retiring in 2009.

Carter was inducted into the state high school athletic association hall of fame last Saturday. His work at Davidson Academy will be his first daily on-campus experience since he left Overton in 1978 to begin working for the TSSAA.

"There is no person in Tennessee, perhaps in the nation, as well qualified to oversee a high school athletic program as Ronnie Carter," Davidson Academy headmaster Bill Chaney told The Tennessean. "We are delighted that he will join our school family in this role and cannot wait to see what innovative leadership he will bring to our already championship-level athletic programs."

Both of Carter's children are Davidson Academy graduates, and he has two grandchildren currently attending the school. Jim Carter is the high school baseball coach there.